Celebrity diet issues of embarrassing gossip magazines. As Oscar Wilde wrote, one must always have something sensational to read on the train.

Lots of workout music. I've burned through all my iTunes gift cards from the holidays, and then some.

A new fancy water bottle. My old, non-fancy water bottle cracked and sprung a leak during a cycling class, making me look like That Sweaty Guy (every cycling class has one: the guy who sweats so much that there's an actual puddle under his bike at the end of the ride).

A cast iron mini-skillet to cook my breakfast egg. Like most slightly-anal people, I love things that are smaller versions of other things, and had long desired a six-inch iron skillet. And now I have one. And no one, by God, had best try to take it from me.

This, it seems to me, is the kind of "splurge" that dieting folks don't 'fess up to as often as, say, having a piece of cake at the birthday party. I'm currently debating whether or not to invest in a heart rate monitor, which would be my priciest splurge by far. (But one that my gym class teacher highly recommends, for what it's worth.)

Fitness experts do seem to agree, though, that rewarding yourself for healthy habits with some kind of non-food indulgence (new clothes, an upgraded iPod, a massage) can be a great motivator. Whether it's better to reward yourself after or before you've hit a goal benchmark depends on what kind of motivators speak to you: Some people work harder after investing in a splurge that sends the message that they're worth it. And some people need that good old-fashioned carrot on a stick.

Me, I eat a lot of carrots. Apparently. But I bet I'm not alone. What have you splurged on to keep yourself motivated and healthy?

I bought a food weighing scale! By far one of the best purchases I have ever made. It really reveals a lot about the amount of food you consume. All this time when I thought I was consume a 'small' banana, it turns out I was consuming a large, or extra large banana. That really changes things! Although, I still reward myself with a piece of cake every now and again ;)

Nikki_in_Cali 05:16:58 PM on 02/20/09

Clothes are good, really good. I went down 2 sizes and donated all my old pants so I wouldn't be tempted to let myself slide back into them. Now I have nothing to fall back on (or into) when my new pants start getting tight. It's a constant reminder to cut back on the amount of food I'm eating. I also went and had a delicious massage after I got to my goal weight. It's funny how you enjoy a massage more when you're not focused on how you look almost naked and is something jiggling when it shouldn't.

(Plug: Has anyone read Siobhan's book "30 Things everyone should know how to do before turning 30"? I read excerpts and couldn't stop laughing. What a witty blogger we have here!)

play_with_food 07:00:11 AM on 02/20/09

I have one of those mini-cast iron pans and I love it!

x572213 06:32:34 PM on 02/19/09

I smiled when I read this post. I did the exact same thing!

meganos 05:15:18 PM on 02/19/09

Shiny new workout clothes and toys are good carrots or sticks for me. I recently got a nice new pair of running tights with a gift certificate and they are definitely a motivator. I started using a heart rate monitor recently and it can be useful, I think. Then again, I often crack up about all the tools out there that are supposed to make you faster (the bike gear, in particular, is out of control) when really just putting in the time and effort is the most important thing.

SideDish101 12:05:20 PM on 02/19/09

My splurge was a gym membership!

ramstutz 10:31:22 AM on 02/19/09

In addition to my scripts for this site's wonderful editions, I like to splurge on healthy magazines too. Sometimes I find a fun new workout that motivates me and helps me beat the workout routine blahs.

merche719 09:45:06 AM on 02/19/09

Well, I am looking at getting some new sports bras and more waterproof eyeliner to keep it all in place when I am pushing hard. Style is ever important, more so when you are sweating!

AlysO 09:34:16 AM on 02/19/09

I didn't buy anything but I just boxed up all of my now too big pants and put them away (forever). That felt good to be down two sizes and very motivating!